A British man was among the 15 people who died in a bomb attack on a cafe in Marrakesh,

A British man was among the 15 people who died in a bomb attack on a cafe in Marrakesh, Morocco on Thursday, the Foreign Office has said.While it has yet to officially confirm the man's identity, he has been named by Moroccan officials as Peter Moss.The website of the UK's Jewish Chronicle newspaper said Mr Moss, 59, was one of its former writers.The Foreign Office said that next of kin have been informed and his family has been given consulate assistance.No group has so far said it carried out the attack in the major tourist spot.The Foreign Office is advising Britons to stay away from the area of the attack.Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said: "An FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] rapid deployment team arrived this morning to supplement our team in Marrakech."They are co-ordinating...

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attempts to tax telephone lines used by offshore betting companies which pass through La Linea

The mayor has infuriated Gibraltar by attempting to introduce a toll for visitors to the Rock as well as attempts to tax telephone lines used by offshore betting companies which pass through his town.Sanchez claims the socialist government in Madrid has sacrificed La Linea’s interests in favour of Gibraltar, in order to maintain good relations with the ...

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Residents ran illegal gambling ring

Two men from Howard Beach, one from Maspeth and another from Long Island were indicted last week on charges they raked in more than $8 million over the past two and a half years running a sports gambling operation in Queens and on the web, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.    Michael Palmaccio, 39, of Howard Beach; Ronald Salerno, 33, of Howard Beach; Cono Natale, 46, of Maspeth; and Gerry Gullotti, 45, of Oceanside, LI allegedly ran a betting ring that used offshore accounts based on a gambling website to pocket massive amounts of money and would threaten to harm any gamblers who did not fork over owed funds.    “Illegal gambling is not a victimless crime,” Brown said in a prepared statement. “Those who participate in these criminal operations often...

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Interpol Suspects Founders of Indicted Online Poker Companies Are In Costa Rica

Senior executives from online betting companies like PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Abolute Poker indicted by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York in U.S. for bank fraud, money laundering, illegal gambling and other crimes.Three defendants were arraigned in federal courts in New York and Utah on Monday and Tuesday, and eight other defendants remain at large outside the U.S., said an official from the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York.According to U.S. authorities, the companies violated U.S. laws relating to internet gambling and the eight defendants are believed to be either in Costa Rica, Ireland and the Isle of Man.In connection with this case, the deputy director of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) - Judicial Investigation...

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Under federal law, Internet poker is illegal.

California lawmakers are scrambling for ways to alleviate the $15.4 billion budget deficit. In their desperation, they should not bet the house on the false promise of riches from Internet gambling.It wasn't all that long ago that California sanctioned a few poker parlors and horse racing. That changed when Californians approved the lottery in 1984. Next came high-stakes Indian bingo, which led to the 2000 ballot measure legalizing slot machines and other gambling on dozens of Indian reservations in California.There is no turning back. The industry has become too wealthy and politically powerful. Forces within that industry no doubt will succeed in their effort to legalize Internet poker and other gambling at some point.But there are many unanswered questions, and there is no need to rush.Under...

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ROW has broken out over the docking of nuclear subs in Gibraltar.

The American vessels – which have been involved in the Libya campaign – have been slammed by the PSOE representative for Cadiz province, insisting they should use the US base in Rota.“My opinion is the vessels should go to Rota because it is a joint Spanish – US base,” said Jose Carracao. “It has the necessary security conditions to house nuclear propelled vessels.“The quays of Gibraltar do not comply with the minimum requirements of security.”It was a clear reference to the docking of the USS Florida at the weekend and the USS Providence last month.The docking of the Providence led to an incident, when a Guardia Civil boat got too close.The Royal Navy was forced to issue a radio warning and block the passage of the craft, which appeared to be filming the sub.The Providence spent a weekend...

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Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) boat collided with a Guardia Civil vessel injuring a Spanish officer just off the Rock

Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) boat collided with a Guardia Civil vessel injuring a Spanish officer just off the Rock on Sunday during attempts by both forces to apprehend suspected drug dealers smuggling hashish across the Straits from Morocco.After a four mile chase through international waters the Spanish patrol intercepted the smugglers boat off Gibraltar's southernmost tip, when the RGP vessel allegedly collided with the Spanish vessel.The Unified Association of the Guardia Civil (AUGC) has made a formal complaint over the incident, claiming its officers were subjected to "serious insults, harassment and threats"."The (British) Royal Navy and RGP acted like pirates as in other times in the past," said a statement from the police organisation.A spokesman for the RGP confirmed that an incident...

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It seems almost everyone wants to talk to Scott Rothstein about his Ponzi scheme these days. However, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust is seeking to narrow the scope of any depositions of Rothstein.

It seems almost everyone wants to talk to Scott Rothstein about his Ponzi scheme these days.However, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust is seeking to narrow the scope of any depositions of Rothstein.Gibraltar is the Coral Gables-based bank where Rothstein laundered dirty money. The bank recently filed a motion in bankruptcy court that opposes a request from investors in Rothstein’s Ponzi scheme to question him.Gibraltar says it wants to see Rothstein deposed, but is objecting to the manner and timing of the recent request. The bank is the only party that has expressed a problem with the request.Gibraltar is facing two lawsuits over Rothstein’s $1.2 billion scheme: one from the so-called Razorback investors in state court and one from the trustee for Rothstein’s former law firm in bankruptcy...

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Pirate fighter Max Hardberger plans to tackle Somalia's hijack gangs

When Max comes sailing over the horizon, his foes have good reason to start quaking with fear. In a story that could be lifted straight from a Hollywood script, the bearded 62-year-old is the only man in the world who steals ships from pirates. The high seas repo man has recovered ‘around 15’ hijacked vessels in the last 25 years.He had taken on everyone from Russian mobsters to real-life pirates of the Caribbean. His latest mission is to tackle the heavily armed gangs working off the coast of Somalia, where four Americans were shot dead on a yacht last month and British couple Paul and Rachel Chandler were kidnapped and held for a year. ‘There is a strong possibility we will go out there in the next couple of weeks,’ said the Louisiana-based captain, whose company is called Vessel Extractions....

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United States nuclear submarines were transferred from Gibraltar to Rota

Wikileaks report carried by 20minutos today shows that Spain offered the use of the Rota military base in Cádiz to hide the passage of United States nuclear submarines into the Mediterranean.The reports indicate that it is very difficult for ecologist groups to detect the presence of nuclear subs in the Cádiz Naval base.Documents indicate that indeed the United States used Rota in preference to Gibraltar at the express request of the Zapatero Government, so as not to alarm the civil population and to avoid clashes with environmental groups. Spain showed sensitivity over the presence of nuclear submarines on the rock following the Tireless incident in 200/2001 when a British sub had to be repaired while in Gibraltar, attracting widespread protests from the Spanish side of the border.Documents...

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European Gambling Shares Surge

Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment PLC and Playtech Ltd. shares rose sharply Monday morning with expectations the latest crackdown on Internet gambling by U.S. authorities will benefit European online-gaming groups.European online-gaming companies that pulled out of the U.S. a few years ago because of the government's ban on online gaming have since been less competitive than those still accepting money from U.S. residents as their betting pool is smaller. But the U.S. crackdown on online poker could turn the tables in favor of the European operators."All in all, we think the newsflow is good to very good news for the operators of non-US facing poker operations, most notably the market leaders in B2B poker, Playtech and Bwin.Party," Evolutions Securities analyst James Hollins said.Bwin.Party...

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Online Poker Player Accounts Frozen

Online poker accounts of individual players have been frozen following the indictment of Web gambling companies on charges of fraud, money-laundering and running illegal casino operations.About 76 bank accounts in 14 countries have been frozen, preventing players from accessing balances held by the online betting companies, said Kelly Langmesser, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s New York office. Eleven people were charged last week.U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan announced on April 15 a revised indictment against the founders of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker. PokerStars, based on the Isle of Man, Ireland’s Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker of Costa Rica are the leading online poker sites doing business with U.S. customers, according to prosecutors. Five sites displayed...

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Full Tilt Poker issued a statement yesterday saying, "Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend real money play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.”

Full Tilt Poker issued a statement yesterday saying, "Unfortunately, as a result of this action, Full Tilt Poker has decided that it must suspend real money play in the United States until this case is resolved. However, Full Tilt Poker will continue to provide peer-to-peer online poker services outside of the United States.”The statement contained a link to the Full Tilt Poker website, now sporting a notice from the F.B.I., complete with official seals, saying, "This domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant in rem obtained by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York and issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York."In a statement issued Saturday, representatives from Global Betting and Gaming...

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UP to eight high-profile arrests are expected as the US Government continues its assault on online gambling websites linked to fallen Gold Coast tycoon Daniel Tzvetkoff.

The owners of the three largest sites Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars were charged with bank fraud, money laundering and other gambling offences. Authorities are seeking penalties upward of $US3 billion.As The Courier-Mail print edition reported on Saturday, 28-year-old Tzvetkoff is believed to have cut a deal with US authorities after he was arrested a year ago for allegedly laundering up to $534 million in illegal online gambling earnings.He faced 75 years in prison but was bailed last August and it is believed the FBI is mining his inside knowledge of online gambling transactions.The FBI is negotiating with foreign governments to serve arrest warrants. Restraining orders have been served on 76 bank accounts in 14 countri...

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Online Poker Site Crackdown puts the Industry in Jeopardy

The news about the FBI crackdown against Full Tilt, PokerStars and Cereus (Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet) still has the gambling community reeling.  In a somewhat surprising move on Friday the FBI charged management and former owners of the 3 poker networks with money laundering and bank fraud. According to the claim by the DoJ, the poker companies were working with payment processors and a bank in Utah to conceal the true identity of transactions. The claim suggests that Raymond Bitar, the CEO of the software and marketing company that runs Full Tilt Poker worked to create fictitious companies, including phony online flower shops and pet supply stores to ensure credit card transactions would go through unabated. The government also suggests that Isai Scheinberg, the founder of Pokerstars.com...

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Honorary President of the Partido Popular has criticised the current military action in Libya

José María Aznar, the previous Partido Popular Prime Minister and Honorary President of the party, has described Gaddafi as a ‘friend of the west’, and has criticised the on-going military action against him, action which is supported by Spain’s contribution of four F-18 bombers and a mid-air refuelling tanker. Aznar said Gaddafi was a very strange and extravagant man, but he is was not stupid.Speaking to the University of Columbia in the United States, Aznar said the attack on Libya will lead of other countries in the Middle East developing nuclear weapons. He said the foreign policy of the United States was to support the rebels, without knowing even who they are.Aznar said Spain was in a very very complicated situation to pay the debt, noting that the increase in interest rates from the...

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EU sets radiation threshold for Japanese ships

European ports should check radiation levels on all ships coming from Japan to see if they exceed a new limit after last month's nuclear accident, the European Union's executive said on Friday."We want to exclude any risk, even if it is a very small one, for the safety of the workers in the harbors and the citizens," EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said in a statement.The European Commission suggested a new EU-wide limit of 0.2 microsievert-per-hour above normal levels.The proposal was not binding and individual countries will have to decide whether to comply.The announcement came a day after the first ship to leave Japan following the accident at Fukushima nuclear plant docked at Rotterdam port in the Netherlands.More ships are expected to arrive in Europe from Japan in the coming...

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Eleven charged in illegal online gambling scheme

U.S. charges poker sites arranged for gambling proceeds to be disguised as "payments to hundreds of non-existent online merchants purporting to sell merchandise such as jewelry and golf ballsAuthorities in New York City unsealed an indictment charging eleven people with bank fraud and online gambling, including John Campos of St. George. The federal prosecutors said they've issued restraining orders against more than 75 bank accounts used by the poker companies that have interrupted the flow of billions of dollars."As charged, these defendants concocted an elaborate criminal fraud scheme, alternately tricking some U.S. banks and effectively bribing others to assure the continued flow of billions in illegal gambling profits," said U.S. attorney Preet Bharara of the Southern District of New...

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Death of the internet gambling industry.FBI officers are working with Interpol and other agencies to apprehend the eight men who are currently abroad

Three of the largest online poker sites have been taken over by the FBI in a probe that could bring about the death of the internet gambling industry.The websites of Full Title Poker, Absolute Poker and PokerStars have all been shut down and replaced with warning messages after the owners were charged with bank fraud and money laundering.The messages explain that ‘this domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant.’Seized: Three of the poker sites display a warning message from the FBIIn 2006, Congress passed a law prohibiting online gambling, but most of the leading sites found ways to work around the law using foreign banks. Prosecutors allege that in doing so they broke the law.FBI assistant director Janice Fedarcyk said: ‘These defendants, knowing full well that...

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Foreign paedophiles could be banned from entering Gibraltar

Foreign paedophiles could be banned from entering Gibraltar under new draft legislation published yesterday.The Crimes Bill consolidates criminal offences into one legislative text that modernises and streamlines the existing framework, toughening up sentences and introducing new offences and powers to close gaps.  One of those new powers will enable the government to apply to the Magistrates Court for an “entry prohibition order” to stop non-Gibraltarian child sex offenders from entering Gibraltar.“We don’t want these people here in Gibraltar but at the moment we can’t prevent them from coming,” Justice Minister Daniel Feetham said.Police here are alerted through Interpol on the extremely rare occasions when convicted paedophiles are known to be heading to the area, but while efforts...

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Ex-Rothstein law firm COO ‘totally stonewalls’ Gibraltar in deposition

One of the key figures in Scott Rothstein’s Ponzi scheme, former Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler COO Debra Villegas, refused to answer questions in a recent civil deposition by attorneys for Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust.Villegas took the Fifth Amendment in response to 260 questions, much to the anger of Gibraltar’s attorneys.Her refusal to answer questions is notable because she has already pleaded guilty in the Ponzi scheme, and the start of her jail sentence has been delayed so she can cooperate with federal authoriti...

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Internet Poker Companies Indicted for Fraud, Money Laundering

The owners and founders of the three largest online gambling sites in the United States have been indicted and charged with bank fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling offenses.Eleven individuals were charged over their involvement running PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker for violating the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.According to a federal indictment, the owners of the companies sought ways to get around restrictions placed on U.S. banks that prohibited them from handling financial transactions connected to online gambling.Isai Scheinber and Paul Tate of PokerStars, Scott Tom and Brent Beckley of Absolute Poker, and Raymond Bitar and Nelson Burtnick of Full Tilt Poker, the indictment claims, engaged in a scheme "to deceive United States banks and financial...

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BA cabin crew call off strike over Easter and royal wedding

The prospect of peace has not only prevented damaging strikes over the Easter and Royal Wedding bank holiday weekends but also raised hopes that disruption could be avoided during the peak summer season.In a conciliatory move Unite has held off announcing further stoppages, despite majority support for further industrial action in the latest ballot.At the same time BA granted the union a 28-day extension to the current strike mandate, which was due to expire on Monday.In doing so the airline gave Unite breathing space to carry on talks rather than leaving the union facing the stark choice of calling a strike just to avoid the expense of another ballot.The move reflects an improvement in the negotiating climate in recent weeks following the appointment of Keith Williams as BA’s chief executive...

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The British man suspected of murdering his wife was reportedly kicked out of a rehabilitation clinic after he shut himself in his room and threatened to hit a nurse.

Shrien Dewani was moved from the exclusive Priory clinic after his 'unmanageable' behaviour saw him barricade himself in his room, intimidate other patients and threaten to punch a nurse, a court heard today.Both his lawyers and the South African Authorities, who seek his extradition to face charges of murdering his bride Anni on their honeymoon, agree he should be sent to secure psychiatric unit Kewstoke where his violent outbursts can be managed.Dewani, 31, complained that he would be better off in Wandsworth prison and regularly screamed at staff and fellow in patients, it was said. He was staying there as part of his bail conditions but it was requested by his psychiatrist Dr Paul Dedman and staff that he be moved after numerous volatile outbursts.Hugo Keith QC, representing the South...

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GUARDIA CIVIL IGNORE ROYAL NAVY WARNING

The Guardia Civil are going to provoke a serious incident if they continue to interfere with military movements by sea in and out of Gibraltar in such a carefree and cavalier fashion. Their continuing incursions make it all the more important that the territorial waters of Gibraltar are fully protected and our jurisdiction enforced at all times, says the Opposition. Adding that the latest reported incident between a Guardia Civil launch and the Royal Navy happened recently during the call of the Los Angeles class United States Submarine Providence. It will be recalled that the US vessel was in Gibraltar just days after being involved in the military operations off Lybia. When it was leaving Gibraltar, it was shadowed by a Guardia Civil launch which appeared to be photographing or filming...

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local man has been arrested and 30000 cigarettes have been seized

As a result of certain observations being carried out by officers of the Royal Gibraltar Police into the illicit exportation of tobacco in the area of British Lines Road, a local man has been arrested and 30000 cigarettes have been sei...

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Peter Caruana, has given an interview to the Catalan regional television station TV3.

The Gibraltar First Minister, Peter Caruana, has given an interview to the Catalan regional television station TV3.He told the peak time morning audience that the 30,000 Gibraltarians could not be the only citizens on the planet who, according to Spain, were not and would never be entitled to exercise the right to self-determination, to have beaches that had no right to even receive water or to have its airspace recognised.He also told the audience that Gibraltar ‘does not live with its back to Spain’ and does not wish to do so, ‘which does not mean that we would be prepared to be absorbed by Spain or integrated into it’.He said he did not want to see tension with Madrid, and that the Gibraltar Government had always sought ‘the maximum degree of normality, stability and good relations with...

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The British Frigate ‘H.M.S. Cumberland’ arrives in Gibraltar Monday for her last port of call before moving in a few days to Plymouth where she will be scrapped

 She left Devonport last September and has since then been touring the gulfs of Aden and Omán, fighting pirates, and has taken part in an exercise, ‘Air Khandjar’, in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates armed forces.She has also supported the French aircraft carrier, ‘Charles de Gaulle’, while she was carrying out combat operations in Afghanistan, and has also helped with the evacuation of Britons from Lib...

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SAILOR Ryan Donovan was last night charged with murdering one of his senior officers on nuclear submarine HMS Astute.

The 22-year-old allegedly shot dead Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux with an SA80 assault rifle on Friday afternoon.Donovan, who changed his name to Reggie Moondog by deed poll, was also charged with three counts of attempted murder.The Able Seaman, from Dartford, Kent, will appear before magistrates in Southampton today.His alleged victim, 36-year-old weapons engineering officer Lt. Cmdr Molyneux, was married with four children. Donovan was also charged with the attempted murder of Petty Officer Chris Brown, 36, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, 37, and Lt Cmdr Chris Hodge, ...

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200 attendees for the KPMG e-Gaming Summit. Both reinforce Gibraltar's status as a premier gaming jurisdiction.

Last week the fourth floor of Leisure Island Business Centre at Ocean Village was transformed into an exhibition-style space to host two significant e-gaming events. On Wednesday 400 delegates from newly formed Bwin.party descended on the marina-front commercial centre whilst Thursday saw 200 attendees for the KPMG e-Gaming Summit. Both reinforce Gibraltar's status as a premier gaming jurisdiction.Brian Stevendale, Business and Development Director for Ocean Village, comments, "e-Gaming has contributed massively to Gibraltar's economy over recent years and creates considerable employment for local Gibraltarians. However, there have been many changes in the way that the industry is regulated, both on a national and international level, and the events of the past few days have provided a vital...

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Shares in UK gambling companies Betfair PLC and the newly listed bwin.party digital entertainment group are losing value fast

Shares in UK gambling companies Betfair PLC and the newly listed bwin.party digital entertainment group are losing value fast thanks to the German government’s announcement that it will adjudicate a 16% tax on sports betting turnover. Both Betfair and bwin.party say that paying such high taxes will make it impossible for them to remain competitive in the German gambling market. Germany’s web gaming market is, at present, unregulated, which means that UK operators that are based in Gibraltar do not pay any taxes. A tarriff on sports betting turnover would mean that both stakes and winnings would be taxed. English bookmakers like Betfair and bwin.party are crossing their fingers that the resulting legislation will be a gross profits tax, wherein the stake less the winnings are the...

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City University London has became the latest to declare its tuition fees for 2012, announcing it will charge students the maximum £9,000.

The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Paul Curran, said the institution is planning new schemes to ensure poorer students gain access to degree places, including maths tutoring in schools, master-classes and summer schools.More than 30 universities have already declared their intended fee levels for next year, with the majority planning to charge £9,000.Those planning to charge the maximum are Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London, Manchester, Warwick, Essex, Leeds, Durham, Lancaster, Bath, Birmingham, Loughborough, Exeter, Sussex, Surrey, Liverpool, Aston, Liverpool John Moores, Reading, Kent, Central Lancashire, Leicester, Nottingham, Oxford Brookes and City.All universities planning to charge more than £6,000 will have to have their fees approved by...

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Royal Navy officer has been killed and a second seriously injured after they were shot by a colleague on board a nuclear-powered submarine.

Local civic dignitaries, including the mayor and council leader were on board HMS Astute, which is visiting Southampton, Hampshire, at the time of the incident.The Ministry of Defence said the shooting was not terrorist-related and there was no threat to the wider public.An MoD spokesman said: "Two Royal Navy personnel have been involved in a firearms incident at Southampton docks where HMS Astute is alongside. Sadly, one has now died as a result of his injuries. The Royal Navy is now attempting to inform their families as a matter of urgency."A third Royal Navy serviceman has been arrested by Hampshire Constabulary and is now in custody. This incident was not terrorist-related and there is no threat to the wider public."Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I am greatly saddened to hear of...

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nuclear-powered submarine is returning to its home port in Groton after participating in U.S.-led strikes against military forces in Libya.

The USS Providence was among American and British vessels that launched cruise missiles against Libyan air defense and other sites to halt efforts by Moammar Gadhafi to crush a rebellion in the North African country. The fast-attack sub is returning to Naval Submarine Base New London on Friday following a six-month deployment. The vessel carrying 127 officers and enlisted crew also visited ports in Spain, Turkey and Gibralt...

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HM Customs Gibraltar and Royal Gibraltar Police, a total of 26 bales of cannabis resin with an approximate gross weight of 800 kilos and a street value of £3,900,000 were seized on Wednesday.

anti-drug operation by HM Customs Gibraltar and Royal Gibraltar Police, a total of 26 bales of cannabis resin with an approximate gross weight of 800 kilos and a street value of £3,900,000 were seized on Wednesday.A statement yesterday, adds that the drugs were found in a Spanish registered vehicle parked within an underground car park in Harbour Views Estate. The three car parks within the estate were searched by a team of officers and the customs drugs dogs.The vehicle was towed away and together with the drugs is undergoing forensic examination by scenes of crime officers, said spokesman.A local person has been arrested, is assisting with enquiries and is currently on bail.Investigations are continuing and further arrests are not ruled o...

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One person has been killed and another is in a critical condition after a shooting on board a nuclear submarine, police said.

One person has been killed and another is in a critical condition after a shooting on board a nuclear submarine, police said.One man has been arrested after the incident on HMS Astute, which is docked in Southampton, but Hampshire police are refusing to comment on reports that the three people involved are all service personnel.They said the incident was not terrorist related and there was no risk to the public.Several police vehicles were sent to the Eastern Docks and officers could be seen on the gangway of the £1bn submarine.A police spokesman said: "Hampshire police were called by their Ministry of Defence colleagues at 12.12pm today and are currently liaising with them to establish the exact circumstances of the incident."It is believed two people have sustained injuries as a result of...

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Gibraltar's low corporate tax regime 'not unlawful'

An attempt by the European Commission to outlaw Gibraltar's low corporate tax regime should be rejected, a legal adviser to the European Court of Justice said today.The Commission, backed by Spain, insists the tax system amounts to illegal state aid, because one "region" of an EU member state discriminates against the rest of the country - the UK.But the European Court's Advocate General said in a legal "opinion" today that Gibraltar should be regarded as a territory in its own right for purposes of its tax regime - and therefore its low corporate tax regime could not be seen as discriminatory state aid."Harmful tax measures cannot be classified automatically as unlawful state aid," Advocate General Niilo Jaaskinen said.Although the Advocate General's advice is not binding, it is followed...

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There is major speculation that Portugal will follow Greece and Ireland and have to be bailed out by the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund.

All five opposition parties voted against the minority Socialist Party government’s latest austerity program. The Labour-like party then resigned from office, triggering a general election and throwing the state into further chaos. There is major speculation that Portugal will follow Greece and Ireland and have to be bailed out by the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund. In return, Europe’s leaders will demand even deeper cuts to public spending. The Socialists pushed through an austerity plan, with cuts in wages, pensions, services and benefits. Prime Minister Jose Sócrates wanted to reduce Portugal’s public spending deficit from 9.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2009 to 4.6 percent this year. Portugal has loyally followed the consensus of European governments—that...

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MOD in Gibraltar has said that it can confirm that "we can expect a visit from two warships and a support vessel in the next few days. These ships are deploying as part of a long planned exercise.

Hundreds of marines are coming Gibraltar's way as part of a major British exercise. The exercise is called Operation Cougar and its first phase will be in the Mediterranean up to June.The concentration of so many men and ships in this area of the world, with North Africa in a state of permanent upheaval, has led to speculation in British papers that it is all to do with the Libya uprising - and whatever happens next.The MOD in Gibraltar has said that it can confirm that "we can expect a visit from two warships and a support vessel in the next few days. These ships are deploying as part of a long planned exercise. They will transit through the Mediterranean en toute for a subsequent exercise programme East of Suez and, during the course of their transit they are due to conduct exercises with...

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Gibraltar Navy Base is becoming ever more busy as a logistical base for operations in Libya.

This weekend saw the arrival of two more British Navy ships, a destroyer and a frigate returning from the conflict zone. In both cases the vessels are on the Rock for new supplies and refuelling.A U.S. nuclear submarine, USS Providence, left the Rock last week heading into the Mediterrane...

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if Spain applied its reasons for claiming Gibraltar to the rest of its territory, it would have to give up land to Portugal.

Spanish Crown Prince Felipe said that Britain and Spain need to resolve their “historical bilateral dispute” over Gibraltar, as Prince Charles visited Madrid on March 30.This comes two months after Spain banned American aircraft flying to or from Gibraltar from traveling in Spanish airspace.“I express my wish that our authorities make progress towards a solution to our historic bilateral dispute which is yet to be resolved,” said Felipe at an official dinner with the prince.Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero also raised the issue, calling for “cooperation” to solve the dispute.Panorama, a Gibraltar news service, points out that by describing the dispute over Gibraltar as “bilateral” the Spanish are trying to characterize the issue of Gibraltar sovereignty as something to be...

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E-gaming companies, PartyGaming and bwin have received shareholder approval to merge to create the world’s largest listed online gaming business, based in Gibraltar

E-gaming companies, PartyGaming and bwin have received shareholder approval to merge to create the world’s largest listed online gaming business, based in Gibraltar. Subject to approval from the Gibraltar Supreme Court, the merger is expected to be completed on March 31, 2011.Under the proposed merger, the assets and liabilities of bwin will be transferred to PartyGaming thereby forming a Societas Europaea (European joint stock company) incorporated in Gibraltar. Upon completion of the proposed merger, Bwin shares will be de-listed from the Vienna Stock Exchange and the shares in the combined entity will be listed exclusively on the London Stock Exchange.Following the approval of the merger in Germany by the Federal Cartel Office and in Austria by the Federal Competition Authority, bwin has...

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HMS Invincible diverted to Gibraltar use it to patrol British Gibraltar Waters against incursions by the Guardia Civil.

HMS Invincible, the decommissioned Royal Navy aircraft carrier which was being towed to Turkey to be scrapped, was late last night diverted to Gibraltar as it entered the Strait. A Greek high net worth resident has reportedly purchased the vessel and plans to convert it into a floating office complex for the gaming industry.Lawyers for the unnamed billionaire said that the current shortage of office space and the added attraction of landing facilities for private jets and helicopters made this an ideal alternative in the style of floating hotels. Additionally he felt that the heritage value would be much appreciated and a boost to local tourism. Government sources however last night denied reports that there were also plans to refurbish the vessel’s engines in a bid to additionally use...

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Gibraltar is quite clearly a part of Spain,

Gibraltar is quite clearly a part of Spain, just as surely as the Falkland Islands are a part of Argentina, and that it therefore should be governed by Spain. Sorted.However, for Britain, fixing the Gibraltar problem is not that simple. And it isn’t because the British political and cultural elites hold a candle for the 30,000 inhabitants of this rock in the Mediterranean. On the contrary, these Union Jack-waving proud Brits are an eyesore for the modern, cosmopolitan rulers and opinion-formers here in Blighty, who snootily look at Gibraltarians as an ugly reminder of an old-world patriotism that we’re all supposed to have moved beyond.There is a barely concealed contempt in the way modern British politicians and commentators discuss Gibraltar. Jack Straw, when he was foreign secretary, could...

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United States military aircraft that have Gibraltar airport as their origin or destination are prohibited from flying over Spanish airspace or make stops in its territory.

GIBRALTAR has been a sore point for Spain since it was muscled away by Britain nearly three centuries ago. One of the most recent examples of these tensions was the new agreement which came into force on February 1 and was published in the Official State Bulletin on Monday.It states that United States military aircraft that have Gibraltar airport as their origin or destination are prohibited from flying over Spanish airspace or make stops in its territory.Other stipulations include that "except in cases of express authorization," US aircraft flying over Spain cannot "carry dangerous goods, or passengers or cargo that might be controversial in Spain."Dangerous goods include explosives, gases, flammable liquids or solids, oxidizing substances, organic peroxides, toxic and infectious substances...

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The history of Gibraltar.

The Spanish arrived in 1502, only to be kicked out by the British in 1704 when the Treaty of Utrecht granted Gibraltar to the British crown "forever". Above, The raising of the siege of Gibraltar by Sir John Leake in 1704 711 - Moorish commander commander Tariq Ibn-Ziyad captures the “Rock”. 1462 - Spain takes back the territory as it drives out the Moors. 1501 - Queen Isabelle annexes Gibraltar to Spain, granting it its present-day coat of arms a year later. 1704 - Gibraltar is captured by English troops with Dutch help during the War of Spanish Succession. 1713 - The Treaty of Utrecht formally cedes Gibraltar to Britain from Spain. 1830 -...

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